Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

ABC NewsWe are obviously shocked, dismayed, really bewildered by the decision of the court in Egypt.We respect the legitimacy of the Egyptian government, of course we appreciate the rights of the Egyptian justice system to make its decisions.Yes, we understand the need of the Egyptian government to maintain internal order and to crack down on extremism, including the Muslim Brotherhood, but, but it is important that there be due process. It is important that decisions be made on a fair and just basis.So we will be talking to the Greste family. We will be talking to the Egyptian government about what we can do to try to ensure that Peter Greste comes home as quickly as possible.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey

Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. 'Guilty' of covering stories with great skill and integrity. 'Guilty' of defending people's right to know what is going on in their world.Peter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them. At no point during the long drawn out 'trial' did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny.There were many moments during the hearings where in any other court of law, the trial would be thrown out. There were numerous irregularities in addition to the lack of evidence to stand up the ill-conceived allegations.There is only one sensible outcome now. For the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt. We must keep our voice loud to call for an end to their detention. Alongside us is a worldwide solidarity, a global call for their release, and a demand for basic freedoms to be respected.

Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

The Australian Government is shocked at the verdict in the Peter Greste case. We are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it.

It is hard to credit that the court in this case could have reached this conclusion. The Australian Government simply cannot understand it based on the evidence that was presented in the case.We understand that Egypt has been through some very difficult times and there has been a great deal of turmoil in Egypt, but this kind of verdict does nothing to support Egypt's claim to be on a transition to democracy, and the Australian Government urges the new government of Egypt to reflect.Freedom of the press is fundamental to a democracy and we are deeply concerned that this verdict is part of a broader attempt to muzzle the media freedom that upholds democracies around the world.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

US secretary of state John Kerry

ABC NewsInjustices like these simply cannot stand if Egypt is to move forward in the way that president [Abdel Fattah] al-Sisi and foreign minister Shoukri told me just yesterday that they aspire to see their country advance.Egyptian society is stronger and sustainable when all of its citizens have a say and a stake in its success. Today's verdicts fly in the face of the essential role of civil society, a free press, and the real rule of law.